Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin (voice), Jason Bateman (voice), Shakira (voice), Idris Elba (voice), J.K. Simmons (voice), Nate Torrence (voice), Jenny Slate (voice), Mark “Rhino” Smith (voice), Tommy Chong (voice), Octavia Spencer (voice), Bonnie Hunt (voice), Don Lake (voice), Raymond S. Persi (voice), Alan Tudyk (voice), Tom Lister, Jr. (voice), Katie Lowes (voice)
Rating: PG
Running Time: 108 mins
Release Date: 25/03/2016
I have fond memories of getting our first ever colour television in our house and watching THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, which I seem to recall was a mock animated-THIS IS YOUR LIFE special on Mickey Mouse. The colours leapt out of the screen and I was enthralled.
As part of a generation weaned on older animated Disney fare such as THE RESCUERS, 101 DALMATIONS and ROBIN HOOD, I have been encouraged by the endeavours, not only of the Pixar contingent through Disney, but also the Walt Disney Animation Studios which has created recent gems like WRECK-IT-RALPH, BIG HERO 6 and, of course (yep, I am going to let it go) FROZEN.
I must also add that in addition to those examples mentioned, I also took a passing interest in other fine examples of animation, notably Martin Rosen’s WATERSHIP DOWN and Ralph Bakshi’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS (both 1978).
WATERSHIP DOWN probably gave the impression it was aimed at kids, partly due to Art Garfunkel’s Number 1 hit BRIGHT EYES (composed by WOMBLES composer Mike Batt, who penned the musical THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK based on Lewis Carroll’s poem)
However, it proved to be a little too dark and not-so-cute for audiences, right up until it’s brutal climax. The themes of WATERSHIP DOWN were a little too complex for many a five-year old to handle at that time, even though it has become a well-loved family classic.
The Bakshi film was an ill-fated and partly abandoned adaptation of the Tolkien classic in that they never were able to finish the second part of the story. The first part was effectively a novel and a half, adapting THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and part of THE TWO TOWERS. Even the late Saul Zaentz admitted in an interview that he wished computer animation was around in the late 1970s. If it had been completed, audiences could have expected the conclusion of that particular version around late-1980.
The progress and advanced process of CGI-animation over the old-style cel animation has been incredible and I for one have been expecting a story that encompasses not only great, creative story-telling, but also goes to town on the wonderful animation techniques at hand in so many of it’s ilk.
ZOOTROPOLIS (US title: ZOOTOPIA) is the latest of the Walt Disney Animation Studios – and is a fantastic mix of the sophisticated and silly. Parents are advised that there are a number of subtle jokes and references that may go over the heads of their little ones if they decide to take them – and I would admit that this film did evoke some of the darker memories of WATERSHIP DOWN.
I would safely say that it is the most enjoyable animated offering I have seen and the most accomplished. Commentators on the recent controversy over diversity at the Oscars might do good to watch this film as it preaches the diversity message without stating the obvious (Ice Cube probably gave the best reaction to this on BBC’s GRAHAM NORTON SHOW recently when he cited awards shows as the icing on the cake – and not the reason the films get made in the first place)
It also incorporates the style of a LETHAL WEAPON / BEVERLY HILLS COP-style scenario buddy-buddy style, whilst maintaining typical Disney children’s themes. The animation does the job brilliantly and allows audiences to focus on the story and treats.
Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) is an energetic young bunny rabbit leaving the family warren for the big city life in Zootropolis where she graduates from the Police Academy and is relegated in her first assignment to parking duty. It isn’t long before her resolve is tested by sly fox con artist Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman), but eventually she has to use his help in tracking down an otter who has gone missing at the request of his wife.
ZOOTROPOLIS by now follows the typical Disney / Pixar template of plot lines and adventures, but nobody does this stuff better and with more accomplishment. The sophisticated approach to the humour, coupled with a nice balance of silly moments (these are the ones the kids will definitely go for), make this as worthy a contender as FROZEN has been.
The animation just seems to get better and better and better. Subtleties of characterisation, as well as the melding of voice and mannerisms, make ZOOTROPOLIS perfect family entertainment – though one suspects the adults and parents will get the jokes a lot more – and years before their kids do.
Verdict
